🌍 Global Crises and Education in Developing Countries: A System on the Brink
Why Talk About Education Today?
In a world shaken by multiple crises — economic, health, climate, and geopolitical — education in developing countries has become a key survival issue. While developed nations are debating AI in classrooms and hybrid learning models, millions of children elsewhere are still fighting for a notebook, a desk, or simply a school building. This educational gap is not just a delay in development — it is a driving force behind growing global inequality. In 2025, access to education remains a privilege for too many children.
A Contrasting Reality on the Ground
Striking Numbers
-
244 million children and adolescents are out of school (UNESCO, 2024).
-
In sub-Saharan Africa, there is an average of 1 teacher per 50 students.
-
Fewer than 30% of rural schools have access to electricity.
These numbers reflect a severe lack of infrastructure, trained personnel, and political support. Overcrowded classrooms, underqualified teachers, and outdoor learning environments are everyday realities for many students in rural or semi-urban areas.
The Weight of Recent Crises
Developing countries are hit hardest by global upheavals. The COVID-19 pandemic caused prolonged school closures in already fragile contexts. The war in Ukraine disrupted the global economy, pushing up the cost of essential goods, including school supplies. Climate change is making some regions uninhabitable, forcing families to migrate and children to drop out of school.
Field Example: Madagascar
In Madagascar, more than 1 million children are not enrolled in primary school (UNICEF). Several cyclones in 2023–2024 destroyed hundreds of classrooms. Despite government efforts and support from partners, recovery is slow — especially in the country’s drought-affected southern regions, where access to education is even more difficult.
Between Obstacles and Hope
Innovative Solutions Are Emerging
Despite the challenges, many initiatives offer hope:
-
Mobile classrooms (school buses, tent schools) keep education going in crisis zones.
-
Offline-friendly educational platforms like Kolibri or Rumie are being rolled out in several countries.
-
Community-based teachers, often volunteers, help fill educational gaps where the state is absent.
Global Collaboration is Essential
Investing in education is not just charity — it’s a global imperative. According to the World Bank, each additional year of schooling increases individual income by an average of 10%. An educated population is also less vulnerable to extremism, forced migration, and political instability.
Conclusion: The World’s Future Is Being Shaped in Forgotten Classrooms
Too often, education in developing countries is viewed as a distant issue. But it’s a global challenge that demands a collective response. Governments, NGOs, citizens, and private actors all have a role to play. Investing in education today means planting the seeds of a more just, stable, and prosperous future. Let’s not allow another generation to be lost for lack of action.